Snow Crash

Summary

SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson - First Edition, First Printing (Bantam Spectra, 1992). Hardcover with dust jacket in Very Good/Good condition. Estimated value: $75-150. True first printing confirmed by complete number line including '1' and June 1992 publication date. Dust jacket shows $22.00 price with moderate edge wear and creasing. Ex-library copy with 'SF Ste' marking on title page and library stamp (Garnett Public Library). This groundbreaking cyberpunk novel introduced the concept of the 'Metaverse' and remains one of the most influential science fiction works of the 1990s, predicting many aspects of modern internet culture and virtual reality.

Bibliographic details

Publisher

Bantam Spectra Books

Publication year

1992

ISBN

0-553-08853-X

Country

United States

Edition

First Edition

Printing / issue

First Printing

Edition & printing analysis

This is a true first edition, first printing of Snow Crash, confirmed by the complete number line including '1' and the June 1992 publication date. The FFG code and $22.00 dust jacket price further support this identification. The simultaneous hardcover and paperback publication is characteristic of this first edition.

First edition points

June 1992 publication date, complete number line including '1', FFG code, $22.00 price on dust jacket, simultaneous hardcover/paperback publication statement

Bibliographic analysis

Publisher codes

FFG printing code present before number line, typical of Bantam's early 1990s practice

Edition statement

No explicit edition statement present, but June 1992 publication date with complete number line confirms first edition

Copyright page findings

States 'Bantam Spectra Book / June 1992' with full number line 'FFG 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' present, indicating first printing. Published simultaneously in hardcover and trade paperback formats.

Physical characteristics

Condition

Book block solid with slight page yellowing; dust jacket shows moderate edge wear and creasing

Typography

Standard trade typography

Binding

Hardcover with dust jacket

Condition grade

Very Good/Good

Dust jacket

Original price

$22.00 US / $27.00 Canada

Design elements

Complex futuristic cityscape illustration with stylized ornate figure on white background, glossy finish

Notes

Dust jacket clearly present and visible in images, showing typical glossy finish and complex artwork characteristic of 1990s Bantam Spectra hardcovers

Dust jacket points

First state dust jacket with $22.00 price and complete review quotes

Publisher marketing

Features prominent William Gibson quote and additional blurbs from Rudy Rucker, Timothy Leary, and James Morrow

Inscriptions & markings

Inscription Text

SF Ste

Inscription Type

Library classification mark

Inscription Impact

Library marking and ownership stamp significantly reduce collectible value, typically by 40-60% for first editions

Rarity factors

• True first printing of author's breakthrough novel
• Foundational cyberpunk text
• High demand from both sci-fi collectors and tech culture enthusiasts
• Many copies heavily read due to popularity

Valuation factors

Estimated value: $75–$150

• True first edition/first printing
• Library markings significantly reduce value
• Dust jacket present but with moderate wear
• High demand title in cyberpunk genre
• Important work in tech culture literature

Photos

Analysis limitations

Physical dimensions not provided in extracted data; interior page condition assessment limited to visible yellowing